Newark Fire Department is eying a move to a new station off Farm Road 3433 as part of the city’s municipal complex plans. FILE | WCMESSENGER
Newark City Hall and the Newark Fire Department may be on the move, soon.
Last week, the city council approved a resolution authorizing a $10.5 million debt issuance to fund the construction of a municipal complex off Farm Road 3433, near the Family Dollar store that straddles the city limits and Newark’s extraterritorial jurisdiction.
The $10.5 million in certificates of obligation will also go toward water infrastructure, including the construction of two 250,000-gallon water towers. The scope of the project also includes street and water system improvements. Revenue from the city’s water and wastewater sales will offset a portion of the project’s cost.
The municipal complex is part of a development agreement with Rolling V Ranch, which is partially located in Newark’s ETJ. Mayor Crystal Cardwell said the current plan is to house city offices, a city council chamber and the Newark Public Library in one building. The central building will also designate space for a yet-to-be-determined law enforcement agency, with current plans to dedicate one room for an officer.
“Our city hall is falling apart. We have raccoons falling from the ceiling and a whole lot of stuff we have to address,” Cardwell said. “Years ago, we got a grant, and COVID got in the way, and we were never able to tackle [improvements]. Now we’re in a better place. Within the Rolling V development agreement, it dedicated space to a city park or municipal building. We decided it was time to have a new city hall.”
A second building on the site, estimated to be around 2.5 acres, will house Newark Fire Department.
The plan is to build a new two-story fire station with six bays. Chief Jerry Taylor said the second floor will include sleeping quarters, with offices and training areas on the first floor.
The volunteer fire department has grown to meet the needs of surrounding development. Taylor said the department currently has 35 volunteers, with an upcoming academy class expected to bring the roster beyond 40.
“We’re outgrowing what we have and have been looking at some avenues to address that,” Taylor said. “Not being a city agency makes it tougher, but the city supports us, and it’s great that they’re looking to help us out to meet the demand.”
The city council will finalize the issuance in July. According to a legal notice, the certificates of obligation will be financed on a 40-year term, with principal and interest estimated to total $20.9 million, based on a 4.9 percent estimated interest rate.
The council meeting is 7 p.m. July 17 at Newark City Hall, 209 Hudson Street.
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